I explore the 6 Mediterranean cruise traps and blunders that cruise passengers fall into when thinking of cruising in the Mediterranean. Inspired by when a friend of mine wanted to cruise the Mediterranean for the first time and I saw all the mistakes she was about to make.
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00:00 Start
00:31 Itinerary Traps
03:10 Length Traps
05:33 Timing Traps
07:57 Ship Size Traps
10:50 Cabin Traps
30 Comments
Thank you for these inside tips brother.
As usual, the information is very organized; and as usual, it is succinctly and pleasantly given. Thank you again.
If we take MSC in June, as first time cruisers, the 7 night east Mediterranean is $1400 NZD each. What extras can we expect? How much on average is an excursion and would you do more than one per port?
Thank you, Gary. I wouldn’t set sail without checking on your blogs
Great tips! Going in 9 day cruise with Ncl out of Barcelona. Frequent cruiser by never the Med. So enjoy your channel. So informative and you don’t speak so fast like many do so I sit back and enjoy! Have a safe year! Thank you!❤
Cruises are not suitable for small children
Hi Gary. I really believe in the atraction theory. A friend of my called me today looking for a Mediterranean cruise in July. And I just thought of that and opened my phone and this video from you was the first thing that I saw, even though that this video is 8 months old. Incredible😃
Do you have tips for same-sex couples on ocean and river cruises?
Another trap can be two ports in one very long day. Eg Santorini morning depart 2pm arriving Mykonos 7pm depart midnight. You will race to see much in either port and mykonos is a distance between the port and town which is very congested.
I live in Italy and 100% agree on all you recommended re:Italy!
We did a western Mediterranean cruise in July. We loved it, but July was so hot. We live in Florida and are use to heat. However, touring the Vatican (with no A/C) was less than desirable. My purse was stolen in Florence. Fortunately, my hubby had my passport and ship card. I was able to cancel the credit card immediately. I just lost all the pictures on my cellphone.
Thank you!! We have been looking at Mediterranean cruises and have flexibility in time. Considering western with extended time in Barcelona and Rome. Appreciate knowing you get no time in Rome if just a stop. We are 70 and have never been to Europe so want to have time to explore more. May piggyback an eastern after we spend time on land exploring Italy inland.
My wife and I plan to sail the Eastern Med the end of September. Is that time of year still really busy?
Gary, without a doubt, your channel is one of the top channels out there for cruising. Fantastic content, as always. Lots of great information. Thanks for your time, effort, and attention to detail in putting this video together.
Myself and my partner are looking to give cruising a go and tho king a short med trip will be ideal to test the water (literally)
Thanks Gary
I have never cruised before and to be honest I am totally bewildered by the options on offer. These tips certainly help me to narrow down exactly what I am after. Hopefully the Med and Arctic are cruises I can book next year.
Yeah, if I'm going cruising it has to be a balcony because I have to see out and I have to have air. And I have to see moving forward so an aft cabin is out of the question. You'd never know I was the daughter of a bo'sun in the merchant marines. LOL.
You are brilliant!!
Do you have any video about Israel and Egypt or Holyland cruise?
I’m so very glad I found your videos on Mediterranean cruises. I’ve booked one for October of 2024 and was expecting all the ports to be gorgeous. It’s best to have a reality check ahead of time to plan. My cruise sails out f Barcelona and I plan at least five days there prior to the cruise. Most of the ports are in Spain in cities you’ve said are beautiful. But you’ve given me a heads up to do my research. In the future I’d like to see Greece and Italy. Thank you!
we have been on many 7 Seas regent cruises, and yes they are expensive. But, it includes business class round trip and one nite at a luxury hotel the nite before. We're going on a cruise in May from Southhampton, and it includes 3 nights at a 5 star London hotel including breakfast all transfers. And I might add, free excursions. So if you back out these goodies, they really aren't that much more than say Oceania or Seabourne.
LOL, just excellent videos about cruising in the Med.
I'm not new to cruising but have never done one in the Med (hoping to do a NCL one in June). I didn't realize how much time it would take with tendering and getting to the city or town itself. I did know that about Rome and Venice, but not the others so that was helpful. I felt the same way about the cabin as you. I'm always surprised when people spend a lot of money on balconies or even the largest suites on cruises where you have very few at sea days and where you arrive in the morning and depart at night. I do understand however people wanting it in terms of cruises having to quarantine like what happened on Princess in the beginning of the pandemic however. That said, I ruled out a balcony for me simply due to it being a waste of money for me. I'm between an inside and an oceanview but the oceanview one will end up being an extra $825 for the 11 night cruise :0 Seems too much to me.
I’ve been browsing European/Mediterranean cruises (mostly on Celebrity and Royal) and I noticed they use mostly their older ships. What is your opinion on that? I usually prefer newer ships vs older so that caused me a little bit of concern. Some of the ships were around 20 years old.
thank you. this gives me alot to think bout. Somethings I am right on target and a few other things, I need to go back and take a look at.
Poverty going on Costa Concordia
My wife and I are taking a Western Mediterranean Cruise Aug 28th-Sept. 4th with a similar trip to the one you showed, starting in Barcelona and ending in Rome. Are we walking into a crowded touristy time and it being overwhelmingly hot? Thanks!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the info I’m booked on NCL Balcony in early October for 11 days to Mediterranean
I think the first "blunder" that Winnie made was thinking of "going in the summer… ie July". I do about 2 cruises a month, but stay away for the holidays and especially the summer months!